Smokey Mary

by Harry Connick, Jr.

Overview

Named after the famed Mardi Gras train-engine parade float, singer/pianist Harry Connick, Jr.'s funk-oriented 2013 studio album Smokey Mary coincides with the 20th anniversary of the Krewe of Orpheus, the Mardi Gras super krewe that Connick co-founded in 1993. Perhaps Mardi Gras puts Connick in a funky mood, because the year after founding Krewe of Orpheus, Connick delivered the funk, pop, and soul album She. Ever since She, Connick has, now and again, dabbled in funk. He's best at playing funk when he combines it with the more roiling, bluesy aspects of New Orleans jazz and a danceable groove, as on the organ-heavy opener "Smokey Mary Boogie Woogie Choo Choo Train," and the second-line, gospel-inflected number "S'posed to Be" featuring vocalist Tara Alexander. Elsewhere on Smokey Mary, Connick delves into a handful of original contemporary R&B-sounding numbers including "Wish I Were Him," "Dang You Pretty," and "Angola (At the Farm)." Helping bring out the album's high-energy party vibe is Connick's stellar backing ensemble, including such stand-out musicians as Preservation Hall trumpeter Mark Braud, trombonist Lucien Barbarin, saxophonist Branford Marsalis, and percussionist Bill Summers, among others. Ultimately, Smokey Mary will probably play like the passing parade float it is named after, a lot of colorful, shiny fun. ~ Matt Collar

Product Details

Release Date:	04/12/2024
Label:	Columbia / Columbia Records
UPC:	0887654469823
Rank:	8012

Tracks

1. Smokey Mary
2. Hurricane
3. Cuddina Done It
4. Wish I Were Him
5. S'posed to Be
6. The Preacher
7. Dang You Pretty
8. Angola (At the Farm)
9. Nola Girl
10. Mind on the Matter
11. City Beneath the Sea

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Harry Connick, Jr.   Primary Artist,Piano,Vocals
Sonny Landreth   Guitar
Branford Marsalis   Sax (Tenor)
Bobby Campo   Trumpet
Kim Burrell   Vocals
Mark Mullins   Trombone
David Schumacher   Sax (Baritone)
Lucien Barbarin   Cymbals,Soloist,Trombone
Neal Caine   Bass
Raymond Weber   Drums
Arthur Latin   Drums
Dwayne Williams   Percussion
Bill Summers   Percussion
Jonathan DuBose, Jr.   Guitar
Jerry Weldon   Sax (Tenor)
George Porter, Jr.   Bass
Dan Miller   Trumpet
Mark Braud   Trumpet
Tara Alexander   Choir Director,Vocals (Background)
Jason Mingledorff   Sax (Tenor),Sax (Baritone)
Alysha Umphress   Vocals (Background)
Carondelet Chamber   Strings
Jesse Mueller   Vocals (Background)
The Frontline Vocal Movement   Vocals (Background)
Patti Adams   Flute
Tony Hall   Bass,Vocals

Technical Credits

Scott Rissett   Editing,Engineer
Tracey Freeman   Mixing,Producer
Chris Finney   Engineer
Todd Whitelock   Assistant Engineer
Gregg Rubin   Mixing,Editing,Engineer
Harry Connick, Jr.   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Liner Notes
Vlado Meller   Mastering
David Bett   Art Direction
Andrew Page   Assistant Engineer
Geoff Burke   Copyist
Zack Smith   Photography
Maria Betro   Coordinating Producer
Mike Dorsey   Assistant Engineer
Vince Caro   Editing,Engineer
Kyle Lamy   Engineer
Robert Smith   Assistant Engineer
William Moesta   Assistant Engineer
Jill Connick   Photography